Premier to ramp up Catcher output to 60,000 bopd during 1H 2018

UK oil company Premier Oil has confirmed the start of production from the Catcher development in the UK North Sea and revealed plans to ramp it up to 60,000 barrels of oil per day during the first half of 2018.

The Premier-operated Catcher development, made up of several fields discovered between 2010 and 2013, is located 170 kilometers south-east of Aberdeen. The field has been developed with the BW Catcher FPSO.

As previously reported by Offshore Energy Today, the Catcher development achieved first oil on December 23, 2017. This was revealed over the last weekend by the FPSO operator and owner of the BW Catcher FPSO, BW Offshore.

Premier confirmed the startup of the field on Wednesday and added that initial stabilized production from the Catcher field will be at an expected rate of around 10,000 bpd.

According to the company, this will be ramped up in phases with production from the Varadero field followed by the Burgman field. The phased approach allows for management of the well stock whilst commissioning of the gas processing modules and full water injection systems on the FPSO are completed.

In the first quarter of 2018, Premier oil plans to complete the final commissioning of gas facilities and phased production ramp up. In the next quarter, Premier plans to reach plateau production and start exporting gas.

Production in the Catcher Area as a whole will increase to approximately 60,000 barrels of oil per day during the first half of 2018, adding 30,000 bopd (net) to Premier’s daily production.

Tony Durrant, Premier Oil Chief Executive, commented: “I congratulate and thank all our colleagues, partners, suppliers and regulators who have played such an important part in successfully delivering the project on schedule and almost 30% under budget.”

The development has been delivered at total capital investment of $1.6 billion, which is around 30% lower than the sanctioned estimate.

Durant added: “As production ramps up in the first half of 2018, the increased cash flows will play an important role in Premier’s plans for debt reduction. The Catcher Area project also demonstrates Premier’s continuing commitment to invest in the UK.”